Hello everyone! I've been a member for about a year, and this is my first post. My question is has anyone converted an old Kato N scale GP38-2, and Gp50 to DCC none sound or sound? I have a few of these diesels and would like to get them running on DCC. They all have been tested on my DC track and run excellent. I run the rest of my newer diesels on DDC with an NCE Power cab. I have converted some older Kato N scale U30C's "bluebox", and some old Atlas U25's, RS1, GP9,"redbox"and an old RSD12, with TCS CN decoders, with success. Thank you, everyone Has anyone used this sight before? Whats your opinion on these kato frames? http://www.sodigi.com/frames_kato.html (click digiframes tab, click Kato)
I've done a number of the GP 38-2s. Very easy to take that frame down with a dremel tool, or even jeweler's saw and file. That is for simply non sound decoder. Have not tried sound in these.
Thanks Rick, I've searched around, and found a link from TCS web page, I don't know how that got past me. Yes, it shows you have to chop down the rear part of the frame, and modify the light board for to accept an M1 or M4 hard wired decoder. I would assume the GP50 would be the same process for the same GP38-2 conversion. Thanks again for the reply. Ed
You may want to look at ESU LokPilotMicro, it is a much better and smaller decoder. The installation instructions would be the same for any wired decoder. Or if TCS is the brand of choice, look at the Z2.
Thank you Dave for your response. I found this this forum on Nscale.net, with some detailed information on installing a Loksound micro v4 decoder, which looks like it works on both old Kato N scale GP38-2 and GP50's. Looks like the guy did a lot filing to accomplish his task. I'm thinking about using his method. Thanks again David, for your post. http://www.nscale.net/forums/showthread.php?31831-Kato-GP-50-sound-decoder-install